New Calif. Crime Laws Reduce Court Fees, Some Sentences

California will have lower court fees, and more possibilities for lighter sentences and parole, especially for young people in the juvenile justice system, under 11 measures signed by Governor Jerry Brown on Wednesday.

It’s the latest move by the governor to ease some of the state’s crime laws—including ones he signed during his first stint in office that mandate minimum sentences—since a federal judge ordered California to reduce prison overcrowding.

The measures grant elderly prisoners who’ve served at least 25 years the possibility of parole and reduce the minimum sentence for some crimes committed with firearms or by people with previous drug convictions.

Families with children in the juvenile justice system won’t have to pay for assigned legal counsel or administrative fees, under another measure signed by Brown.

As the State Government Reporter, Ben covers California politics, policy and the interaction between the two. He previously reported on local and state politics, business, energy, and environment for WFAE in Charlotte, North Carolina. Read Full Bio